Relational architecture : how can ecological-relational principles inform architecture?

This research aims to investigate how an understanding of
ecological behaviour in certain living systems can inform the design
of the built environment. The main hypothesis that this research
raises is that an understanding of living systems' organisation and
behaviour can contribute to further development of the sustainable
design discourse.
It is therefore within the scope of this research to offer an analysis
and appropriation of ecological principles into the design field, with
a specific focus on the built environment.
The research commences with an overview of some ecological
principles, as they are manifested in natural living systems,
continues with an evaluation of current sustainable architecture
discourse and its possible drawbacks, and concludes with a
suggestive application of the ecological principles into architectural
design. It is assumed that by being exposed to ecological principles
of behaviour, architects and designers may begin to appreciate their
importance and relevance to the design disciplines, and especially
to architecture, which functions as a built, environmental interface
between natural and behavioural processes, and for this reason -
should arguably be able to reflect both.
This research aims to provide a methodology for the application of
certain ecological principles into the built environment by viewing
architectural principles as an interface between people and nature.
Therefore, the ecological principles will be applied to the
relationships between already existing natural processes on site and
the people that interact with them ('the users'). The architectural
system, then, becomes a platform on which these relationships are
manifested.